My husband and I are planning to become full-time RVers, for at least one year. We have never owned an RV, and need your advice as to which type to purchase (c-class or 5th wheel). Many thanks in advance for your help! Here's some information about us:- Situation: we will tour for at least one year around the US, my husband giving concerts (he is a cellist). We will stay with friends/hosts for some nights, but primarily in our RV. We plan to stay in each city/town for one week, at most. We need a vehicle that we can park in friends' driveways, as there won't always be a campground nearby. - Wishlist: we are okay with a smaller space, but it needs to have a toilet and shower, and enough open space to practice cello. Plus, we have a good-size dog, a Labrador. - Budget: around $20,000. My husband is very handy, so we'd prefer something we can put some work into (not mechanical, just the interior).- Our thoughts: we like the size of the small C-class, especially since we won't stay in any one place for too long - we need to get up and go easily. Though with our small budget, we worry we won't be able to get a c-class with great mechanics and decent gas mileage. Therefore, we are also considering a 5th wheel trailer, allowing us to drive around the city without the trailer, and it seems it may be a better investment.As you can see, we are at the beginning stages of our thinking. We are grateful for any advice you may have!!

We have 3 friends that have become full timers. One had a Class C, another had a TT and the other had a 5er. All three have now switched to class As. That tells me something.We have a class C and my wife tells me that if we were ever going to become full timers, it would not be in a class C. We have no plans of becoming full timers.

Welcome to the forum. Have you considered renting a Class C for a week to see if it would be suitable for your needs? Maybe you won't like the RV life. (I doubt it)At least go to RV shows and RV dealers to look at what is available.I know you're not buying new but, it will give you an idea of floor plans available.Good luck with your search, don't hesitate to ask questions on the forum.

Questions: what kind of vehicle do you have now? Can it tow a TT? Can it be flat towed behind a mh? The answer to these two may affect your choice and costs.

wildtoad wrote:Questions: what kind of vehicle do you have now? Can it tow a TT? Can it be flat towed behind a mh? The answer to these two may affect your choice and costs.Exactly what I was going to ask.Bruce

Wow, thank you for all of the replies so far! To answer WildToad's question, we don't already have a vehicle. We have been living in Europe for the past 3 years, and will move back to the US in about a year to start the tour. When we moved to Europe we sold our car, so we would need to purchase one (or a truck) when we get back.

Help choosing RV type - your advice needed | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

ol__grouch
Explorer
Aug 03, 2014
Wow, there are lot's of options here. You definitely want either a Class A or a 5th wheel. You want something big enough for everybody to have their own space. Both types come with slide outs. Myself, I'd opt for a Class A. I currently have a B but the lady friend wants something bigger. All the A's I looked at were too long. I see Class A's around here for $8000-10000 and in really nice shape.

5th wheels tend to be more stable than bumper pull type trailers. As other posters have mentioned, the tow vehicle acts as a daily driver too. On the other hand, GAC channel has several RV shows and many musicians live year round in their Class A units. A small car behind as a dingy would let you drive around for groceries and such.

I would NOT recommend a Class C. A cello wouldn't really fit in my B either. A lot depends on what you find where you are going to buy. Probably the best availability would be a class A but the most finctional would be a 1 ton deisel and a 5th wheel trailer. Some of those trailers are HUGE inside. Even with slide outs, a Class A still has to meet DOT requirements for a motor vehicle.

By the way, regardless of what you get, get an RV specific GPS unit. I got a Garmin based on advice I got here and it's perfect. Especially the height routing.
wintersun
Explorer II
Jul 30, 2014
Your budget will only cover a Class C and best to go look at some to see if cello practice is practical. Also you need to think about where to store the cello during the day and at night to keep it from being damaged.

For your space requirements a 5th wheel is best but you will need a budget of $25K or more for the truck and another $10K for the trailer and you will have something that is too long to fit in someone's driveway.

A large dog, a large musical instrument, and a small RV budget are not compatible.

A travel trailer will be less expensive than a 5th wheel trailer and less demanding of the tow vehicle so a full size SUV could be used and the cello stored in the SUV when not in use. During the day and when traveling the cello could be on the bed and the dog in the back of the SUV. You will still want the slideout to have the interior space for you husband to practice with the cello.

With a suitable tow vehicle like a full size SUV you have a vehicle that can carry the cello to the concert area more readily while the travel trailer is parked at the campground or friends' homes. You will not want to be hauling the cello to the venue in the back of a pickup truck set up for hauling a 5ht wheel trailer or driving around and having to park a Class C motorhome if you can avoid doing so.
Fixed_Sight_Tra
Explorer
Jul 28, 2014
An older class A would be nice on the road and have lots of space but you won't have enough for a toad. Running to the store would be a true hassle.

A class C is probably just too small to live in and you still probably couldn't get a toad and stay in the budget.

A FULL ton truck and fifth wheel will give you the most space for the money plus a runaround plus the ability to upgrade if you decide you like RVing and want a little more.

A fifth wheel is easier to hook up, set up, pull and back than a TT and has more room per total vehicle length.

By the time you rent something and spend a few days you will probably only learn something you already know, that RVing is a good option for living on the road and you will be out $1000 of your $20k after rental and fuel and cleaning or whatever else they tag on. I wouldn't bother renting.

Sounds like fun. Good luck!
pennysmom09
Explorer
Jul 28, 2014
While wintering in Florida at a large RV park, the majority of the full timers had a MH or 5th wheel. At this park the fivers outnumbered the MH's. Just an observation.
ncrowley
Explorer II
Jul 28, 2014
I think the pickup and travel trailer or fifth wheel would be the best. With $20K, it would be tough to purchase a class C you would want to live in. You will need more room than you thin for the dog and the cello. I would encourage you to try living in one for a week before making a purchase. You will find out what type of space you will need.
valhalla360
Navigator
Jul 28, 2014
Basically, you've painted yourself into a corner.
- Any large comfortable rig is going to be too large for driveway camping.
- Any rig small enough for driveway camping is going to be rough with the dog and cello.

My guess is you are underestimating the availability of campgrounds. It's rare to find an area without campgrounds. Even most big cities have some. If it were me, I would plan on staying in campgrounds most of the time. With that issue out of the way, your options open up a lot. $20k will still be an inexpensive used RV. Likely options:
- Pickup with travel trailer
- Pickup with 5th wheel
- Larger class C

If it were me, I would go with the pickup and TT/5er options. The pickup can get you around while leaving the trailer behind. Plus you only have 1 drivetrain to maintain (assuming you would get a toad for the class C)

Do make sure to get at least a 3/4 or 1 ton truck as you propose a lot of towing. We just bought last year and paid $6k for an F250 that is in good running order. And we've had our 5er for 6yrs ($4k)with just standard maintenance, so $20k is doable but it will take some tire kicking to find a good combination.
packpe89
Explorer
Jul 28, 2014
I'd agree the fifth wheel could be the best option. You can find a an older 3/4 ton truck and used fifth wheel for that range. I currently have a travel trailer and just purchased a 2002 3/4 ton to tow with for $8000, and have seen several fifth wheels, that would fit in your budget.

Since I am just a few years from retiring, I've been wondering some of the same things though about which may be the best way to go. Reading on here, when wondering between an RV or fifth wheel for full timing, one item mentioned is length of stops, fifth wheel for longer stops and RV for shorter stops. One week stops is kinda in the middle.

For me, If I went the RV route, I would want a small car to tow. As far as room, I'd make sure to get a slide in whatever you get, will give more room and in a fifth, I think there will be much more room.

Good Luck!
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Jul 28, 2014
Knowing nothing about RVs makes you the prime target of a few fast talking sales people. Be careful. Renting first is a good idea. You will see problems that may or may not occur and also what you like and don't like. In a months time you would be a lot more educated about RVs.
steuartmichelle
Explorer
Jul 28, 2014
Wow, thank you for all of the replies so far!

To answer WildToad's question, we don't already have a vehicle. We have been living in Europe for the past 3 years, and will move back to the US in about a year to start the tour. When we moved to Europe we sold our car, so we would need to purchase one (or a truck) when we get back.
nomad297
Explorer
Jul 28, 2014
wildtoad wrote:
Questions: what kind of vehicle do you have now? Can it tow a TT? Can it be flat towed behind a mh? The answer to these two may affect your choice and costs.

Exactly what I was going to ask.

Bruce